Eve's Wine 101

STARS of Cabernet 2019? Yes! We did it again!

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How many times have we covered STARS of Cabernet? A bunch. But why do we cover the same event year after year? Because year after year there are ALWAYS new wineries to discover, new vintages from old favorites and a bunch of wine-loving friends that we’ve made over the years that we get to see again. (If you want to cut to the chase just for photos go here.)

So what was new for us this year from the incredible wine list below? Well, Ian Blackburn of WineLA.com always does a tremendous job curating wineries for us, so it’s very hard to narrow it down! I have put the wineries in bold that we were able to visit – we can’t do it all – and have noted any special wines we want you to look for:

The 2019 STARS of Cabernet Tasting List

  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak, USA, 2015
  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Skellenger Lane, Rutherford, USA, 2015
  • Alejandro Bulgheroni, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lithology Napa Valley, Napa Valley, USA, 2015 – we also had three 2016 single vineyard wines that were outstanding. This is a winery I will be looking for.
  • Allegretto Wines, Trio, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2017
  • Allegretto Wines, Malbec, Cira Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2015
  • Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2016
  • Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek, Paso Robles, 2015 – and thanks to Quin Cody for taking such good care of us.
  • Almaviva 2016 – During our tasting they were notified that this 2016 was a Wine Spectator Top Ten Wine of the Year, and guess what? Ran out before we could taste it, betting it’s sold out now as well!
  • Almaviva 2017 – a Chilean blend.
  • AXR – TBA
  • Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
  • Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
  • BV Tapestry Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA 2016
  • BV Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour, Rutherford, CA USA 2016
  • BV Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa 2018
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2010
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2011
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2013
  • Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Carmel Valley, 2017
  • Chappellet Signature Cabernet, Napa 2017
  • Chappellet Mountain Cuvee, Bordeaux Blend, Napa/Sonoma 2017
  • Chappellet Grower Collection Chardonnay, Calesa Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, 2017
  • Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 2015; Calistoga, USA – they also served a 2005 Cab that was amazing.
  • Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay, 2016 Napa Valley, USA
  • Clark Claudon – TBA
  • Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2014
  • Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2015
  • Crown Point, Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon, USA, 2016
  • Dana Estates – VIP 6 PM ONLY
  • Davis Estates – TBA
  • Dominus Estate – VIP 6 PM ONLY
  • Duhig Wine, 2016 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley – this was a nice discovery for us. The Cab was slightly chilled and had a lovely mouthfeel, and the two sisters working the table were delightful.
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc, 2016
  • Ehlers Estate Portrait (Bordeaux Blend)
  • Ehlers Estate 1886, 2015
  • Napa Cabernet, 2016
  • Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Winston Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014
  • Carneros Chardonnay
  • Arrowood Wines, Sonoma Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2016
  • Frank Family Vineyards 2016 Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
  • Freemark Abbey, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Hawk & Horse Vineyards – 2014 Petit Verdot, Red Hills, Lake County – always nice to taste with Hawk & Horse.
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2015
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Signature Mtn Blend, Napa Valley, 2015- we missed seeing Ralph Herterlendy at the event this year but his wines were still amazing without him.
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley, 2015
  • J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Volume 6 Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016
  • J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chapter 9 Conner-Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016 – new winery for us, good wines.
  • Jack Wines – TBA
  • Joseph Phelps Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
  • Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
  • Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016 – we’re club members, so it was so cool to see them at this event!
  • Gelson’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, Napa Valley
  • Marciano Estate – TBA
  • Michel Rolland – TBA
  • Moët Hennessey presents – all unfiltered wines, I enjoyed all the 2015 Newton Estate: Spring Mtn, Yountville, Mt. Veeder
  • Monteverro – TBA
  • Moraga White (SB) Bel Air, CA, 2017
  • Moraga Red (Bordeaux Blend) Bel Air, CA, 2015
  • Napanook – TBA
  • Palmaz Cabernet 2016
  • Palmaz Cabernet 2015
  • Palmaz Chardonnay “Amalia” 2017
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2014
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2011
  • Prime Solum Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Brokenrock Vineyard, Napa Valley, 2018 – I had written about this winery for Napa Valley Life Magazine so it was a treat to see them and taste all of their yummy wines!
  • Relic Wines – TBA
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot Blend, “Vespera” Grigsby/Collinetta, Yountville/Coombsville, USA, 2014
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grigsby, Yountville, USA, 2014
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Collinetta, Coombsville, USA, 2013 –so cool to find Rocca at this event! Had visited them a few years back, and just like then I loved all of their wines.
  • Sequoia Grove Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Seven Stones Winery – TBA
  • ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARDS, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2016
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, 2016
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Manzanita Hill Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
  • T. Berkley Wines, Cabernet Franc, Leaning Oak Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa, 2016 –This may have been my favorite wine at the tasting. I love Cab Franc and the winemaker told me that Cab Franc was the reason he became a winemaker. Same winemaker for both Teachworth and T.Berkley: Taylor Berkley Boydstun.
  • The Debate – TBA
  • The Unfiltered Collection, winemaker is Jean Hoefliger formerly of Alpha Omega, all native yeast: 2015 Clark Claudon “Eternity” Cabernet Sauvignon, V. Vineyards 2015 “Audace” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 “The Debate” Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Trujillo Cabernet Napa Valley 2016
  • Trujillo Gary Morisoli Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Rutherford 2016
  • Trujillo Henry Brothers Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Howell Mtn. 2016
  • Two Old Dogs – TBA
  • V. Vineyards – TBA
  • Yount Ridge Cellars – TBA
  • ZD Wines, 59% Pinot Noir 41% Chardonnay, Anniversary Reserve Cuvee Sparkling, Napa Valley AVA, USA
  • ZD Wines, Chardonnay, California Chardonnay, California Appellation, USA, 2017
  • ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2016
  • ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2010

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Arrow and Branch announces New Tasting Experiences

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NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Arrow&Branch announces three new tasting experiences offered exclusively at the Wheeler Farms Winery in St. Helena

These three new experiences, detailed below, are exclusively offered at one of Napa’s newest state-of-the-art wineries, Wheeler Farms. Included in the experiences are: a complete tour of the grounds, winery, and winemaking facility as well as an opportunity to visit the properties chickens, bees, orchard, and bountiful planters that are filled with seasonal vegetables and herbs.

20160925_AB_113011-editThe newest additions to the Arrow&Branch tasting experiences at Wheeler Farms will now feature small bites made by the winery’s chef included in the fee. These pairings will complement each wine experience and feature produce grown right on the property. Current seasonal dishes include a Mushroom Duxelle, Parmesan Crisps, Salted Organic Almonds, Cheddar Biscuits drizzled with local honey, and Gougeres.

Current Release Experience

The first of our three experiences allows one to taste through our four newest released wines: the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon “Black Label,” 2014 Red Wine “Right Bank Blend,” and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon “Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard.”

Beckstoffer “Dr. Crane Vineyard” Experience

Our second experience allows for an in depth vertical tasting of wine from one of Napa Valley’s more esteemed and historical vineyards. Often referred to as the La Mission Haut Brion of Napa, this vineyard was originally planted in 1858 and consists of gravelly Cortina and Bale loam soils. The vineyard’s climate is known as one of the warmest in Napa Valley which produces a beautiful, dark, luscious fruit flavor profile.

Each taster will experience Arrow&Branch 2012, 2013, and 2014 wines coming exclusively from the Beckstoffer “Dr. Crane Vineyard”

“Right Bank” Experience

This experience offers an opportunity to enjoy a vertical tasting of Arrow&Branch’s flagship wines. The primary grape source is from our meticulously farmed Cabernet Franc Estate Vineyard in Coombsville. The unique microclimate is unlike any other in the Napa Valley; where the morning fog burns off quickly but cool breezes sweep through the vineyard on summer afternoons. This allows the grapes more time to ripen and encourages flavor and character development in the grapes. The wine is then blended with Merlot from the Stagecoach Vineyard which also provides a unique flavor profile thanks to its elevation and red, volcanic soil. The fruit is described as ripe, bold, and extremely concentrated which make it perfect for ultra-premium wines. The two unique grape sources create a “Right Bank” Cheval style wine.

Each taster will experience Arrow&Branch “Right Bank Blend” 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 wines.

This is a great opportunity to taste the wines of Arrow&Branch at its home in St. Helena. Tasting fees for each experience are $125/person. For more information or to book a tour, visit our website http://www.arrowandbranch.com or contact Holly Horton – Director of Hospitality at 925-519-1214 / wine(at)arrowandbranch(dot)com

More than 300 Wine Labels Now Approved to Wear Coombsville AVA

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Napa Valley’s Newest Sub-AVA Gains Quick Support According to Federal Records—

(Napa, Calif)— If an AVA’s presence on wine labels is any indication (and it is), winemakers and wineries have fully embraced the new Coombsville growing region in southern Napa Valley.  Since its approval as the newest Napa Valley sub-AVA in December 2011, 300 wine labels have won Federal approval to use “Coombsville” as their appellation of origin, according to Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) records.

10549820_667462650011473_8847776147312287360_oLocated in the, cooler, southeast part of the Napa Valley, adjacent to the town of Napa, Coombsville has long been the silent source of grapes for some of Napa Valley’s most quality conscious wineries. Since the region was granted AVA status, however, vintners inside and outside of the Coombsville region have begun touting “Coombsville” on their labels at an impressive pace.

“In Napa Valley it’s a marketing and branding question as to whether to put a sub-AVA like Coombsville, Oakville or Stag’s Leap District on your label since it’s not required,” noted Coombsville Vintners and Growers President Jimmy Kawalek. “The fact that so many wineries have chosen to use ‘Coombsville’ on their labels as the official sub-AVA so soon after Federal approval is an endorsement of the region and is a good indication they believe ‘Coombsville’ communicates quality.”

“Coombsville” On A Wine Label Means Quality

All wine labels, imported or domestic, must apply for and obtain approval from the federal government before being placed on the bottle. Among the many pieces of information that must be included in an application to use a label is the appellation (or AVA) of record. The AVA identified on the application and the label indicates where at least 85% of the grapes used to make the wine were grown.

“We’ve been waiting years to taut ‘Coombsville’ on Silverado Vineyards’ labels having long farmed in the region and witnessed the remarkable quality of fruit the region yields,” said Russ Weis, General Manager of Silverado Vineyards. “It’s no surprise to us and others with intimate familiarity with Coombsville that vintners would have fully embraced the opportunity to put ‘Coombsville’ on their labels. —It means ‘quality’.”

The Coombsville AVA encompasses 11,075 acres, 1,400 of which are planted to grapes. Members of the Coombsville Vintners and Growers association represent wineries and growers located within the AVA, as well as wineries outside the AVA, who use Coombsville-grown grapes in their winemaking. For more information see www.coombsvillenapa.org.

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